Beacon of Freedom

Phil Freelon
2023

Category: Mural

NC Freedom Park is North Carolina's first urban greenspace honoring the African American struggle for liberation. Located at the heart stands a distinctive sculpture known as the "Beacon of Freedom." This sculpture is made to illuminate the surroundings each night, symbolizing hope and self-determination.

The park and beacon was designed by acclaimed late architect Phil Freelon, renowned for his design of the National Museum of African American History and Culture ⎻ among other notable achievements.

“With the 20 quotes that will be artfully inscribed on the walkways here, we have people from enslaved people and bank presidents and poets and editors, religious people, politicians, soldiers — from their own perspective, talking about freedom, the meaning of freedom, the struggle for freedom, what it means to be denied freedom — and that conversation through different time periods and different generations, with anyone who comes to that park, that is the monument. Of which that beacon is a symbol.” Historian and park board member Reginald Hildebrand said. “That beacon serves the purpose of encouraging and supporting people who are in this country, seeking freedom to define it, to expand it and secure it."

Quotes courtesy of N&O